Episode 11 - SPECIAL book launch episode

Oct 28, 2024

They celebrate a new illustrated devotional and the stories behind its creation. They explore why voices from church history still matter for today. They discuss C.S. Lewis’s essay that inspired the project and how old books can correct modern blind spots. They highlight learning from saints across eras and cultures to steady faith and broaden perspective.

42:54

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INSIGHT

Old Books As A Corrective

C.S. Lewis' essay 'On the Reading of Old Books' inspired Ben Lansing's Our Church Speaks project as a manifesto for reading the past.
Lewis argues old books correct contemporary blind spots and are often more accessible than modern scholarly summaries.

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ANECDOTE

How Ancient Texts Sparked A Passion

Ben tested Lewis by reading Marcus Aurelius and then Augustine, finding ancient texts surprisingly relevant and accessible to his life.
Those readings launched his long-term passion for church history and the lives of saints.

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ADVICE

Use A Gentle Gateway To Church History

Use Our Church Speaks as a gentle primer to discover church history and saints rather than diving straight into dense original texts.
Let the book act as a gateway to older sources and wider traditions.

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Book Launch Celebration

01:22 • 49sec

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Why Share Church History Today

02:11 • 2min

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C.S. Lewis as the Project's Spark

04:05 • 1min

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Lewis on Amateurs Reading Classics

05:17 • 3min

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Discovering Marcus Aurelius and Augustine

07:50 • 2min

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Making Church History Accessible

09:55 • 1min

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Old Books Versus New Books

11:20 • 4min

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Why Old Books Produce Reliable Fruit

14:56 • 2min

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New Book to Point Back to Old

16:47 • 3min

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Community of Saints as Antidote to Discouragement

19:52 • 2min

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Reading Across Cultures and Eras

22:20 • 3min

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Tradition, Mere Christianity, and Sources

25:17 • 2min

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Saints Reveal Cultural Blind Spots

27:02 • 2min

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Lewis's Argument for the 'Clean Sea Breeze'

29:00 • 5min

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Examples of Harmful and Helpful Past Views

34:08 • 2min

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Book's Global and Denominational Scope

35:50 • 2min

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Unity Amid Theological Diversity

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I Kissed Dating Goodbye

Joshua Harris

In 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye', Joshua Harris argues against the conventional dating scene, suggesting it often leads to superficial relationships and emotional harm. Instead, he advocates for a 'courtship' approach that involves greater parental involvement, group dates, and a focus on purity and marriage intentions. However, Harris later apologized for the book, acknowledging its flaws and the harm it caused to many readers by instilling fear and promoting a legalistic approach to relationships.

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• Mentioned in 160 episodes

Confessions

Augustine

Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible. The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism. He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden. The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis. The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.

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• Mentioned in 26 episodes

On The Incarnation

C.S. Lewis

Athanasius

A Religious of C.S.M.V. S.Th.

Written by St. Athanasius in the 4th century, 'On the Incarnation' is an apologetic treatise that defends the incarnation of Christ against non-believers. Athanasius explains that the Word of God became incarnate to save fallen humanity, arguing that this act was necessary to undo the corruption of sin and restore humanity to its original state in the image of God. The book relies heavily on Scripture and the teachings of the early Church, addressing various objections to the incarnation and emphasizing the divine and human natures of Christ.

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Apology

Plato

Plato's *Apology* is a historical and philosophical account of Socrates' defense at his trial in 399 BCE. Socrates was charged with corrupting the youth and impiety, but instead of apologizing, he defended his actions as a philosopher, emphasizing his commitment to truth and virtue. The dialogue captures Socrates' fearless reasoning and his reflections on mortality, leading to his eventual sentencing to death by drinking hemlock.

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• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Our Church Speaks

an illustrated devotional of saints from every era and place

D.J. Marotta

Ben Lansing

On the Reading of Old Books

C.S. Lewis

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• Mentioned in 6 episodes

God in the Dock

C.S. Lewis

God in the Dock is a collection of essays and addresses by C.S. Lewis, covering a wide range of theological and philosophical topics. The essays explore various aspects of Christian belief, including the nature of faith, the problem of evil, and the relationship between Christianity and culture. Lewis's clear and engaging writing style makes complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. The book showcases his intellectual prowess and his ability to articulate Christian thought in a compelling and persuasive manner. It remains a valuable resource for those seeking to understand Lewis's perspective on faith and reason.

• Mentioned in 1,029 episodes

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

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• Mentioned in 144 episodes

The Republic

Plato

Ben and Dan's book launches this week! "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era & Place" (published by InterVarsity Press) will be officially released October 29, 2024. You can get your copy at www.ourchurchspeaks.com. To celebrate the book's release, Ben and Dan discuss "On the Reading of Old Books," a short essay by C.S. Lewis that has inspired much of the Our Church Speaks project. They discuss why the voices of the saints throughout the centuries are so important for a well-rounded Christian perspective and how we can be enouraged by the saints in our own life's circumstances. ---------- Order "Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era and Place" by Ben Lansing and D.J. Marotta at www.ourchurchspeaks.com. Read C.S. Lewis' "On the Reading of Old Books" here - https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/christina.hemati/phil1301/readings/lewis-on-the-reading-of-old-books/view Cover art by Ben Lansing.

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